How do you work in the water park(s) into your plans?

[maurene]

Hi...newbie here.

We're going to DW in late May. We have "8-Day Magic Your Way Ticket with Park Hopper® and Water Park Fun & More*." So I think that gives us lots of flexibility but I'm trying to figure out how to plan/schedule our time at the water park(s).

For instance, do you like to dedicate most of one day to a water park? Or, maybe just go for an hour or two before or after going to another (non-water) park? If you only do a few hours at the water park, do you like morning or afternoon better?

In our group there is a 6 yo, 4yo, and 9 month old (and 4 adults). I'm hesistent to try to keep the baby at the park for an extended time. But at the same time, because of the limited hours for the water parks, trying to do a water park and another park in the same day seems like it could be tough.

Thanks!

 

[stitch09]

my family is very experienced when it comes to balancing out our days, and when we do the water parks, we do not spend too much time there. a lot of times what we'll do is sleep in (taking a break from the early entries in the parks) until 9 or 10 and then head to one of the water parks. we usually stay until 2 or 3 and then head back to our hotel for showers and then dinner reservations somewhere and night time in a park. that way, we get some time in the water parks and still get to spend some of the day at the regular parks. personally, i would not plan to stay in the water parks all day... it can be very tiring. plus, we go in the summer, and so there is rain/thunderstorms in the afternoon almost every day... i think your best bet is to do what we do- 4 or 5 hours in the water park and one of the regular parks for the evening. one year, we did an early entry at MK with a breakfast at cinderella's royal table, and then a water park, and then another park in the evening, so it's very doable!! good luck with whatever you decide to do!!

 

[amylevan]

The water parks get more and more crowded as the day goes on. And there's nothing I hate worse than standing in line for water slides in the hot sun in bare feet. Yick.

So we usually get to a water park as soon as it opens. After a few hours, we're usually ready to head out - just as the park starts to get crowded. Then we either relax the rest of the day, or go to a park for evening shows.

 

[mousebymarriage]

We usually plan a day at the water park mid vacation, it helps break up the theme park visiting and the kids really look forward to it.
We always go to the water park first thing in the morning and are there when it opens. we usually leave about 3pm, go back to the resort for showers and then have dinner (Chef Mickeys at around 6pm), then head back to the resort to relax and usually go to bed early because the water parks can wear you out.

 

[Magic2000]

We usually go to the water park one day in the middle of our vacation - and we get there as soon as it opens. Usually around 1:00 or 2:00 pm, its crowded and we are ready to go. We'll relax around the hotel and then have dinner. This year, we're going to California Grill. We'll stay til about 1:00ish, then head back to the hotel to take baths & relax, then head over to the Contemporary. After dinner, we'll head back to the hotel for an early night.

 

[LSUmom4kids]

We tried going to Typhoon Lagoon in 8/07 around 10am - they were full & we were turned away! Then went to Blizzard & it rained/lightening about 1 hr. after we arrived: park closed & we got a no-expiration ticket for another day! Go early or arrive late; like 2-3 pm since they're open till 8 pm in August!